You Won't Believe Which Mission: Impossible Films You Must Watch Before The Final Reckoning!

As the release of “Mission: Impossible – The Last Chapter” draws near, it’s time to gear up by catching or re-watching crucial episodes from the series and Tom Cruise’s filmography. The 8th installment of this action-packed franchise is set to hit cinemas on May 23, 2025. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie follow up from “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” and possibly conclude the entire series, including Ethan Hunt’s storyline.

Whenever a new installment of a popular series like the Mission: Impossible films comes out, old fans often find themselves revisiting previous versions in anticipation. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for newcomers to catch up on missed episodes or start from the beginning. Definitely, this is the case before The Final Reckoning hits theaters. Some of the earlier Mission: Impossible movies are essential viewing. Even Tom Cruise’s standalone films might be worth adding to a rewatch list.

Which Mission: Impossible Movies To Watch Before The Final Reckoning

Some Are More Important Than Others

A great strategy for revisiting “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” could involve watching all the previous Mission: Impossible films beforehand. This approach is advantageous because “The Final Reckoning” is being marketed as the conclusion to the franchise. If indeed it serves as the end, following Ethan Hunt’s journey thoroughly will undoubtedly enhance your appreciation of his final chapter, given its significance in wrapping up his long-standing story.

For decades, these movies have held a special place in my heart, and I jump at any opportunity to revisit them. However, I acknowledge that some people might find it overwhelming to watch seven films, especially if they’re brand new to the series, just to be ready for The Final Reckoning. Keeping this in mind, certain movies within the franchise are crucial to understanding the plot of the potential finale.

To fully appreciate the latest installment, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” it would be beneficial for you, as a viewer, to revisit three key films from the series. Primarily, I’d suggest watching the original “Mission: Impossible,” the third one, “Mission: Impossible III,” and the sixth film, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning.” In other words, these three movies are crucial to understanding the narrative flow of The Final Reckoning.

1996’s “Mission: Impossible” shares significant ties with “The Final Reckoning,” particularly in regards to my undercover mission at Langley and my past with CIA analyst William Donloe, which are key aspects. Remarkably, “Mission: Impossible III” seems to have a striking relevance to the upcoming installment, as it consistently references the enigmatic Rabbit’s Foot, a mysterious artifact first introduced in the third film. Lastly, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” plays a pivotal role in “The Final Reckoning,” as it was the movie that introduced the Entity, and it appears that the eighth film is further developing all the storylines from “Dead Reckoning.” (As a devoted cinema-goer, I’ve noticed these intriguing connections among the Mission: Impossible series.)

In short, it’s best to watch all the Mission: Impossible movies prior to this new one. There’s a chance that Tom Cruise and McQuarrie might incorporate more hidden connections in the movie. While you can comprehend much of the plot with just the three initial films, important context could be overlooked if you miss out on four of the other ones. Notably, McQuarrie has contributed to the last four movies in some way, so elements from each film might play a role in The Final Reckoning.

Options For When To Start Watching The Mission: Impossible Movies Before The Final Reckoning

A Few Different Options Exist

To enjoy The Final Reckoning, you might need to watch up to seven preceding movies, depending on your selection. If you’re planning a weekly viewing schedule, it’s getting too late unless you’re only interested in watching Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible III, and Dead Reckoning. In that case, you could start from May 2nd, watch one movie every two Fridays, and catch The Final Reckoning in theaters during its opening weekend.

If you’re intending to catch all seven Mission: Impossible films prior to their release, as I am, a sensible approach would be to set aside a schedule of watching two movies per week. You could kick things off by watching Mission: Impossible and Mission: Impossible II from April 27 to May 3. Then, move on to Mission: Impossible III and Ghost Protocol during the following week, May 4-10. For weeks starting May 11 and May 18, you can watch Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and Mission: Impossible – Fallout respectively. Finally, catch Dead Reckoning from May 19 to 21, followed by The Final Reckoning in theaters either on its opening night or that weekend.

You could follow a viewing plan that mimics a genuine Mission: Impossible marathon, where you watch one movie every day and finish with The Final Reckoning. If your goal is to catch the new film on its opening night, which is May 22, and you want to stick with the one-per-day schedule, then you should start rewatching on May 16. If you prefer to wait for the actual opening weekend, simply subtract a day for each day you’re waiting.

To accomplish a continuous “Mission: Impossible” movie marathon by watching all seven previous films one after another and then attending a screening of “The Final Reckoning,” you’ll need to set aside approximately 15 hours and 34 minutes without any interruptions. Reducing the total time slightly can be achieved by skipping the credits, as the Mission: Impossible franchise does not feature any post-credits scenes.

At the moment, it’s only possible to rewatch these options from home because there are no plans yet for any Mission: Impossible movie to have a limited theatrical re-release. If you own all of them, have a Paramount+ subscription, or are ready to rent or buy them digitally, then you can rewatch.

There Are Other Tom Cruise Movies That Are Worth Watching Before The Final Reckoning Too

A Few Additional Movies If There’s Time

Instead of only focusing on the Mission: Impossible series, it’s worth considering other films starring Tom Cruise as part of a “The Final Reckoning” rewatch list. This is because these movies mark his ongoing collaboration with director Christopher McQuarrie. Together, they have worked on five Mission: Impossible films and an additional five projects. These collaborative efforts outside of the Mission: Impossible series include Valkyrie, Edge of Tomorrow, Jack Reacher (which was also McQuarrie’s first film to direct Cruise), The Mummy, and Top Gun: Maverick, for which McQuarrie served as a screenwriter on each.

Even though the team intends to collaborate further post-conclusion of the Mission: Impossible series with The Final Reckoning, exploring their previous works adds depth to our admiration for this franchise. They’ve evolved significantly since Jack Reacher, and Top Gun: Maverick matches the caliber of top-tier Mission: Impossible films. Tom Cruise might continue producing action movies beyond The Final Reckoning, but it’s enjoyable to reflect on his contemporary successes and setbacks in this genre.

2025-04-23 23:43

You Won’t Believe Which Mission: Impossible Films You Must Watch Before The Final Reckoning!